Fifa remain silent on Cameroon case

Fifa has refused to comment on allegations of match-fixing during Cameroon’s World Cup games for fear of compromising any possible future investigation.

The African nation finished bottom of Group A after losing to Mexico, Croatia and hosts Brazil, but their game against the latter of that trio has come under scrutiny.


A well-known match-fixer reportedly predicted the 4-0 result before the game, prompting the Cameroon Football Association (Fecafoot) to open its own investigation on Monday.


President Joseph Owona stating: “Recent allegations of fraud around Cameroon's three 2014 Fifa World Cup preliminary games, especially Cameroon vs. Croatia, as well of the 'existence of seven bad apples [in our national team]' do not reflect the values and principles promoted by our administration, in line with FIFA Code of Conduct and the ethics of our nation.


"We wish to inform the general public that, though not yet contacted by FIFA in regards to this affair, our administration has already instructed its Ethics Committee to further investigate these accusations.


"We are strongly committed to employ all means necessary to resolve this disruptive matter in the shortest delays.


"In the meantime, we legitimately request that any related information, unless brought before our federation and/or its Ethics Committee, be held for or treated as mere assumption.

"We wish to reinstate that in fifty-five (55) years of existence, Fecafoot has never been sanctioned for, involved in, or even linked to match fixing or any fraud of any kind."


Fifa would not confirm, however, whether they are conducting their own probe at this stage.


A spokesperson told Goal: “As we have said consistently – prior to the FIFA World Cup and now during it – we do not provide any comments as to whether or not an investigation is underway with regard to any alleged manipulation in any match amongst others so as not to compromise any possible investigations.


“It would only be after a decision has been taken by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee or FIFA Ethics Committee and first notified to the parties concerned that FIFA would be in a position to communicate the contents of that decision publically.


“Speaking generally, the integrity of the game is a top priority for FIFA and as such we take any allegations of match manipulation very seriously.


“FIFA continues to work closely with law enforcement agencies as well as the respective public authorities and other sports organisations on a national, regional and global level to tackle the issue of match manipulation.”